Introducing 2022/23 BDC Films Fellows

BDC Films is excited to introduce this year's cohort of BDC Films Fellows: Sarah Alvira, Agasha Irving, Auralynn Rosario, and Similejesu (Simi) Sonubi!

BDC Films was created in response to the need for more film training programs for traditionally underrepresented documentary filmmakers in the Bronx that can help increase employment in creative industries. BDC Films is run by Director of the BDC Films Fellowship Program, Tânia Cypriano.

Sarah Alvira is a Bronx native filmmaker, and has a BA from SUNY Purchase in Arts Management. Sarah is known for her guerilla-style videography work for the viral performance artist, Jonothon Lyons. Her current work mostly consists of surrealist narratives; she looks forward to transitioning to documentaries. 

Agasha Irving is a visual artist from Atlanta, Georgia, currently based in New York. Their work focuses on education, public health and uplifting marginalized communities. Agasha holds a BA in Film and Television Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. They hope to continue editing, producing, and directing work that impacts people. 

Auralynn Rosario is a Harlem-based filmmaker. She is the 2019 recipient of the Helen Gurley Brown Magic Grant from Smith College, the 2021 New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) scholarship award. and was a 2020 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Scholar. As a filmmaker, she strives to tell stories that challenge the status quo, raise questions, and affect social change. 

Similejesu (Simi) Sonubi is a Nigerian-born, Bronx-based filmmaker who focuses on narratives that highlight the black femme experience. Her previous work has dealt with mental illness in African immigrant communities. Similejesu is truly passionate about Nigerian affairs, especially Yoruba history and culture and is looking forward to also continuing to direct projects on the black femme experience in both American and African contexts.